[chris 71]

hello i am kinda new here. i have been working on a burl carving still a little more work to go. just wanted to share a few pics and ask for any suggestions on finishing it. i like tung oil but other than that all i have tried so far is spar varinish which i didnt like. i dont like the shinny look. i think i would like to darken it up a bit was thinking about some dark walnut dainsh oil but not sure this being a burl carving maybe i should not mess with the color. i would appreciate any ideas thanks chris..

[kitaye]

That is an interesting carving. A light stain to bring out the texture of the hair followed with a matte polyurethane would look nice.

[Gear Dog]

Wow I like what you did with this piece. I agree a light finish.

[chris 71]

thanks for the compliment's. i have just been told by a friend that this isnt actually burl after all. so i thought i should mention this before i look like a dummy

[Alice in Wonderland]

Wow too,I love your different approach to the Birch Burl I would leave it natural, but I just love Wood to much to cover it up especially if it has a beautiful grain, I have used B.L.O to bring the grain out wipe it off after 30 minutes and finish with Polyurethane satin.
Alice

[Ashbys]

Hi Chris welcome to the fourm. Nice work .

Ash

[Don by the lake]

That is a very unique carving. Quite interesting. If you have another peice of the wood you should experiment with the finish. Maybe a scrap left over from the carving. I would hate to see it go too dark on you. If you just want to protect the wood maybe some spray Deft with your choice of gloss would work. I have found it doesn't darken the wood as much as some of the other poly finishes. Good luck!

[AlArchie]

Very nice work! It sure looks like burl to me. What did your friend say it was?
I think a golden oak stain would enhance that vwery well

Al

[chris 71]

hi thanks for the warm welcome and kind remarks. now i am more confused about just what it is other than knowing it is birch. my friend who gave it to me said it was a burl slab when he first gave it to me and when i showed it to him today he said he didnt think it was a burl. but with the bark pockets inside and surfing around the web looking at birch burls it does look like other burls so i dont know. this is my first burl carving if indeed it is a burl so i am not any kind of expert on them. and thanks again for the ideas on finishing i think i might be changing my mind on darking it it does have some very nice colors when it is sprayed with water

[chris 71]

well i decided to stay with what i know. went with tung oil and i think i am glad i didnt darken it up any. it turns out to be dark enough on its own. i am happy with how it turned out thanks for looking chris..